USA > Georgia > Jackson County > The early history of Jackson county, Georgia. "The writings of the late G.J.N. Wilson, embracing some of the early history of Jackson county". The first settlers, 1784; formation and boundaries to the present time; records of the Talasee colony > Part 13
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For many years after but little attention was given the volcano. In fact, the Indians kept away from Beadland, except when on their war expeditions; and the whites were too busy with clearing the forest and fighting the red man to trouble with such things.
This place became, apparently, nothing but a gloomy swamp. Those that saw the smoke rising from the hot mud thought it only fog. Years passed; and after the white man began to come into Beadland from different counties of Georgia; and from other states, even, settlements were made at different places.
Mr. John Gossett lived nearest the mudhole, as it was called. He cleared a large field that almost surrounded Nodoroc. One morning when he and his good wife were in the field they noticed an unusual amoung of fog (or what they supposed was fog) hang- ing over the swamp. As the sun rose higher in the heavens they noticed that it did not dispel the supposed mist. But on the other hand the "fog" grew denser, until about 9 o'clock Mrs. Gossett saw a great volume of smoke burst forth from the swamp.
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She called her husband, who was plowing, to look. Both heard a loud rumbling noise, somewhat like that of distant thunder. Mr. Gossett's horse was frightened and tried to run, so loud was the noise. All at once, the whole surface of the mud hole seemed to rise up into the air. The elements seemed to be filled with hot mud.
It appeared to rise so high and the air was so full of the small particles that it darkened the sun for a few moments. Then came the hot stuff back to the earth, falling all around Gossett and his wife, some striking them bespattering their clothing but doing them no damage, as the little particles of mud were too small.
After this eruption old Nodoroc seemed to settle down several feet and to cool off. In a few years it was perfectly cold and was known the country round as one of the worst of "cow mires."
Then the seeds of vegetation began to find their way to the rich mud. A stunted growth was covering the whole surface, though it was quite dangerous to venture on to it. A number of years later it was estimated that more cattle had been lost in the swamp during that period than was ever in the settlement at any one time. This led to the necessity of fencing the swamp which was continued until the coming of the stock law.
Finally, old Nodoroc became the property of John L. Harris, who, always calm and calculating, determined to turn the old time horror into practical use. Accordingly, by dint of much hard work, skill, and a determination to succeed, he drained it sufficiently well to allow cultivation with the hoe. It produced first-class corn which Mr. Harris was careful to carry to solid ground in baskets. In the summer of the second year after the swamp was drained, the writer walked through the growing corn when it was from ten to twelve feet high, and the tops shook to the tread of his feet as far as the corn could be seen.
The ditches were "planked" on the sides with stays between, to keep the soft mud in place, and it was curious to see pure, clear water running along them, as in comparatively recent times no water at all was running there.
Mr. Harris continued to work his newly drained swamp with the hoe for several crops, but of recent years has been cultivating
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it with horse and plow, and always with highly satisfactory results.
Bones and horns of animals, doubtless those that last disap- peared, was ploughed up occasionally.
The whole area, consisting of about five acres, is now in a high state of cultivation, but the surface has been gradually sinking since it was first drained.
What other, if any, metamorphosis takes place in the ancient Nodoroc is unknown ; but it is reasonable to conclude that its sub- terranean fires were extinguished by the eruption witnessed by Mr. and Mrs. John Gossett.
Note: Old "Nodoroc" is still owned by Mr. John L. Harris. The Editor visited the place both in 1913 and 1914. The soil is a blue-black in color, very porous and is about four to five feet deep, that is the hard sand pan that has formed is that depth below the surface. In looking down at the "bottom," from the surrounding hills, which are not high, it has the ap- pearance of five acres of land covered with coal dust. Nodoroc is about one-half mile east of Chapel Church and one-fourth mile south of the S. A. L. R. R. on the head waters of Barber's Creek .- Ed.
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CHAPTER X.
TROUBLE AT SNODON AND THE ARRIVAL OF MORE EMIGRANTS.
Early one morning some days after the return from Nodoroc to Talasee, Ocean Scupeen arrived at Fort Strong, with a written message from his mother, stating that Mera was dangerously ill, and that the suffering girl wanted to see Helen Draper before she died.
Dr. Singleton was at once summoned, and in a short time Miss Draper, though warned of the danger of being kidnapped, was on her way home with a well-appointed escort in three divisions : First went the invaluable scout, Tata Nyxter, some distance in advance; second, Helen Draper, Ocean Scupeen and Dr. Single- ton; third, and some distance in the rear, which was always the point of Indian attack, went Abe Trent, Joe Lavender and Ed Damron, a formidable trio, if any fighting were to be done.
Though a few strange natives were passed at Calamit, the party, being well mounted and heavily armed, reached the Charmed Circle in due time without being molested.
Without delay Helen and Dr. Singleton visited the humble home of Mera, whom they found dangerously sick with fever, and unconscious. In piteous tones she often exclaimed in wild delirium: "O Helen! Helen! Where is my darling Helen? Will she-will Helen never come?"
Helen kissed her burning cheeks and bathed them with her freely flowing tears, while Dr. Singleton sat anxiously at her side counting her pulse and looking into her great, wide-open black eyes over which the chilly film of death seemed to be gathering. At last Dr. Singleton, giving Helen a furtive glance and shaking his head, said: "There is little hope; but we must do something. Warm water, please, quick as possible!"
It was a singular process, and one which a modern physician would probably discard; but when the patient's feet had been bathed and vigorously rubbed in warm water, and an occasional application of cold water had been gently applied to her brow and
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the back of her neck for fully two hours, she became quiet, breathed easier, and her eyes began to close very slowly. In the meantime, medicine had been administered, but under such diffi- culties that little was really taken.
"If," said the doctor, "her eyes are closed by morning and she is still breathing regularly as now, the crisis will be passed. Close attention, however, is the price of life. Here, with full written directions, are the necessary medicines. If needed during the night, Miss Draper will notify me by the whippoorwill call twice repeated."
It was then after sundown, and the doctor, shouldering his trusty rifle, joined the men who were stationed at some distance around the house at regular intervals.
The guard was composed of Abe Trent, Joe Lavender, Ed Damron, Ocean Scupeen, Alonzo Draper, Herman Scupeen, Hoochleohoopah, Tata Nyxter and Dr. Singleton. The nurses, inside were Nyrulyn, the sick girl's mother, Mrs. Mary Draper, Helen Draper, and Mrs. Annette Scupeen. These and other partic- ulars are given to show the difference between then and now, and also the unselfish devotion of the pioneer settlers of the country to their friends.
Though the nurses were fully aware of the heroic character of the guard around them; and though they had confidence in their own ability to defend themselves, and in Lion, a host in himself, that was lying at the feet of his young mistress, they were restless and uneasy, because somehow all were impressed with the belief that another effort would be made during the night to capture their darling Helen and hold her as hostage until the whites left the country. While none doubted the result for a moment, still their anxiety increased with passing hours.
The wigwam was covered with several layers of poplar bark at the apex of which was an opening large enough to admit the body of an ordinary Indian. The temporary covering of the opening being removed, Nyrulyn and Helen placed themselves near it alternately, and constantly listened for any disturbance made on the outside.
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It was far into the night. Nyrulyn, who was a good reader of the stars, said it was past midnight. Mera, who had been resting comparatively well, became restless with the turning hour, and again talked in wild delirium, but not so violently as before. She continued to call for Helen, alluded to Ocean Scupeen in some unknown connection and challenged Tata Nyxter for a foot race. A soothing portion being given, she became quiet, by and by, partially closed her eyes and seemed to sleep at short intervals peacefully. From the doctor's standpoint this was taken as a good omen, and the nurses looked at each other and smiled gladly.
It wants some two hours to daybreak. Helen Draper ventures, for a moment, to raise her head above the house top. A faint gleam of light opens the eastern horizon, the last quarter moon is rising. Silence reigns supreme. But, hark ! To-hoo-to-hoo-hoo-o ! breaks upon the still night air! What can it mean? It is not the hooting of an owl. That last "oo-o" is never given by the solemn night bird.
"It is Tata Nyxter's danger signal," whispers Helen who is now on duty. "But," she continued, "the hooting seems strangely distant. What can the danger be? No gun has been fired. That is strange. With ten such men as I know are around us, and with four such women as are present, with Lion to lead the charge, I fear nothing that is likely to come against us. Comrades, see that your guns and sabres are ready, and when necessary follow me and Lion !"
The heroine's address was received with the waving of handker- chiefs, and Nyrulyn, seizing her well-tried bow and arrows, stood at the door, as much as to say-"No, dear Helen, you are too precious to my darling Mera to receive the first shock of battle. Her mother will do that." Again the sick girl is moaning and rolling on her lowly bed of pain, and Helen, crying like a stricken child mutters:
"Poor Mera, you can not answer signals as you have so bravely done on former occasions, nor can your now restless feet carry, as a bird on the wing, a message to your friends as they once did !"
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All are intently listening for the report of fire arms, when suddenly, "to-hoo-o-o," long drawn out, reaches the wide-open ears of the anxious nurses.
"That means the danger is over," exclaimed Helen joyfully, and placing her weapons by Lion, she began to chase Mera's brow gently saying, "Poor Mera! darling Mera, Banna is con- stantly praying for your recovery and I have faith to believe you'll soon get well."
Thus the anxious nurses kept up their night-long vigil until break of day when Dr. Singleton returned to the wigwam. See- ing that his patient's eyes were closed he extended his open hands and said: "Thank God! With Miss Draper for a nurse the danger is over. While her hands sometimes seemed to be moved by iron nerves. I notice that their touch upon the burning fevered brow is as soft and gentle as the whisper of an angel."
"You are right, doctor, but," whispered Mrs. Scupeen, "why was the danger signal given last night?"
Silently going outside the wigwam, Dr. Singleton gave the fol- lowing account of the disturbance of the night:
"At an early hour the faithful Tata Nyxter was sent out to re- connoiter the surrounding country. While watching the main pathway that leads near the rock pillar, he saw three Indians enter the archway and seat themselves as if to rest. They were soon joined by another man who, contrary to all Indian usage, walked in a stooping posture. So sharp was the boy's observa- tion that he recognized the three men who first came as the same that had formerly made an effort to kidnap Miss Helen. The fourth was a stranger, and evidently a leader in some conspiracy. Silently, 'worming' himself near the pillar, the boy learned that the stoop-shouldered man had located Miss Draper, and reported that only one man was with her, that the sick girl's father was away from home, and just at moon up all four should rush into the wigwam together, and bear the girl away before any one could come to her relief.
"The boy at once brought us the news and gave the warning signal that you heard. Then we made the discovery that the boy was a ventriloquist. Though he stood near it was difficult for
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me to believe that hooting was not made by an owl on some lofty tree-top beyond the rocks to the south of Nere Nara.
"Every man constituted himself a vigilant watchman and as the upper horn of the moon rose above the horizon, four men, in single file, were seen creeping on all fours along the path that leads from the south. It was a small matter to capture them, and they are now in close custody. Immediately the hooting boy went to the rear and gave the second signal. The captives turned and listened in the direction where the hooting seemed to be, and the bent-shouldered man said angrily : 'Osh sempa uto tach ebrus' -the horrid owl is laughing at us!
"It is a little singular that the Creek language has no profane word; otherwise the crooked Indian would have used it, for he was desperately mad. When Abe Trent began to disarm him, the fellow jerked his tomahawk back; whereupon Abe hurled him to the ground with such force that we thought him dead for a while. A break was expected; but the 'click' of several guns soon restored order. Nothing on earth seems so dreadful to an Indian as the sharp crack of the white man's rifle. He can not understand it."
Nyrulyn, who had remained by her sick daughter, motioned Helen Draper to come in, and Dr. Singleton followed. They found Mera awake and her mind partially restored; but physi- cally so weak that she could not raise her head to greet the friend whom she loved so well. The meeting was a happy one, and Helen's presence doubtless had much to do with the sick girl's recovery.
When confronted in daylight, the prisoners, as usual, assumed a haughty attitude and refused to make any explanation what- ever of their purposes; but when Abe Trent, in a spirit of mis- chief, pointed to the east and whispered "Nodoroc" in their ears, they changed their demeanor, and offered allegiance to the whites as the price of their liberty.
With the concurrence of the Talasee Colony they were released on the following day.
Through Etohautee, it was found that the stoop-shouldered Indian was the ring leader of the plot to capture Helen Draper
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and hold her as a hostage until the white settlers left the country, and that his report concerning Miss Draper's defenseless condition was not based on what he knew himself, but on information given by another Indian who wished to play him a trick. He turned out to be Siloquot of Haitauthuga, and that he was not stoop- shouldered; but for some reason had assumed this position as a sort of disguise. His companions were Elitoboy, Camastooka and Novuarka who lived in the vicinity of Fort Yargo.
About this time the long-expected train of emigrants arrived. It consisted of eleven men, nine women and seven children- twenty-seven in all. It was led by Robert Alston, father of Alexis Alston* of Pea Ridge. The Talasee Colony having relin- quished all claim to Beadland, the newcomers settled in various parts of that territory. Mr. Alston and three other families re- mained at Snodon. He built a double log cabin near Nere Nara, the rock pillar. Having been told something of the history of that cu- rious mausoleum, one of the first acts of his wife, Mrs. Thurza Al- ston was to drape the pillar with festoons of wild flowers. This is equivalent to writing a long chapter in the history of a good woman. When Umausauga heard of this token of respect for his lost Nere Nara and had learned its significance from Banna and Marzee Marcum, he went the same night to Snodon and prostrated himself at Mrs. Alston's feet. So much of the senti- ment of a christianized heathen. At the same time the Alstons and their adherents gained a powerful friend by one simple but beautiful deed.
In the meantime Mera continued to improve slowly. Sleeping a little now and then while in her seat, Helen Draper remained at her side almost constantly for ten long days and as many weary nights. Every movement was carefully noted and every need of the sick girl was lovingly supplied by the faithful nurse for three weeks, when she was carried in the willing arms of Ocean Scupeen to Helen's own home for further attention.
During this period it was curious to notice that when Helen was absent Lion took her place by Mera, and allowed no stranger to
"Read first chapter of "Cell No. 21" in this work .- Ed.
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come near. To gratify his desire to serve the girl, he carried dinner to her in a little basket, nor did he permit any one else to take it from him. On one occasion when Mera and Lion only were in the house, a long gaunt wolf trotted to the door and began to sniff the inside air. Quick as thought the dog jumped upon the intruder, and a battle royal followed. His wolfship was no mean antagonist; but when the family reached the house, his throat was torn wide open and the dog was sitting near Mera as if nothing unusual had happened.
To meet such emergencies as this, which were by no means un- common, fire arms and a deadly knife were always within easy reach.
Though still feeble, the girl, even without her powerful ally, the dog, was well prepared and certainly knew how to defend herself.
Since the capture of the conspirators and the arrival of Mr. Alston and his companions it was thought that no further effort would be made on Helen Draper's liberty; but the vigilance of herself and friends was not abated for an hour. The cunning and fleet-footed Tata Nyxter, and the bold, dashing Ocean Scu- peen, ranged the country in all directions; while the dreaded trio, Abe Trent, Joe Lavender and Ed Damron were within easy reach.
The surveillance continued until Mera was strong enough to be taken to Fort Strong, where in the sunshine of her still faithful nurse as well as in that of other devoted friends there, she soon fully recovered her health. To no one was this more pleasing than to Dr. Singleton who, next to Helen, had been Mera's most faithful attendant. He was a young man of fine personal ap- pearance and pleasing manners.
At any time Mera was a pretty girl; but now that she was ar- rayed in an elegant dress, made by the deft fingers of Letty Moore, and her magnificent supply of jet black hair had been dressed by the expert hands of Marzee Marcum, she was still more beautiful.
If, when the doctor thought his patient near death his atten- tions were very close, it was plain enough that now she was in
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blooming health, they were still closer and even more necessary for his own happiness than before. So the people began to talk and say ---
"Dr. Singleton loves the dreamy-eyed Indian girl."
The remainder of the Blue Bird's stay at Fort Strong was de- voted to daily rifle practice and to horseback riding under the efficient guidance of Helen Draper. At the end of four weeks she was almost equal to her teacher except in loading while on the run. When Mera returned home she was accompanied by Dr. Singleton and Rev. James Tinsley.
The purpose of the former was not professional, but a matter of love and the mission of the latter was to confer with Nyrulyn about the education of her interesting daughter, it being cus- tomary for mothers to dispose of their daughters and fathers of their sons. Both doctor and preacher were agreeably surprised to find the mother almost as interesting and handsome as the daughter. The truth was, both she and her ill-fated sister Nere Nara, had been brought up in Savannah, where, being favorites in the family of Edward Telfair, afterwards Governor of Geor- gia, they learned to speak English with tolerable facility.
They were said to be the lineal descendants of Lachlan Mc- Gillivray, a native of Scotland, and the granddaughter of Schey ; mother of the famous Gen. Alexander McGillivray,* and spoken of by the historians of the time as the daughter of a full- blooded Creek woman of high rank in her nation, and of Capt. Marchance of the French army, and that at the time of her mar- riage she was "a maiden of sixteen, cheerful in countenance, be- witching in looks, and graceful in form."
Such was Schey, the grandmother of Nyrulyn and great-grand- mother of Mera.
So, after all, it turns out that "the pretty Blue Bird Indian girl," as she was commonly called, was of Scotch-French-Indian descent, belonged to a family "of high rank in her nation," and was really a member of the Lower Creek Nation.
*White's "Historical Collection of Georgia," P. 154 .- Ed.
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It was long after this before Dr. George Singleton knew any- thing of Mera's ancestors. He loved her for herself as Josiah Strong had loved Banna the Beautiful, and who by common con- sent was known, after her marriage, as "Banna the Good."
Finding Nyrulyn so far superior in intelligence and manners to anything anticipated, Mr. Tinsley suggested that both mother and daughter go through a course of instruction at Fort Strong in the early future. This proposition brought Hoochleohoopah, a powerful but well-disposed man, into the consultation. He op- posed the measure at first, but finally consented for both his wife and daughter to accept the preacher's proposition after he re- turned from an extended hunt for which he was then preparing.
Being highly elated with his success, Mr. Tinsley extended his hand and bade farewell to the family; but when Dr. Singleton offered his hand Nyrulyn refused to take it until she had paid him for services rendered to her sick child. The doctor informed her that Miss Draper had offered to pay him, but that he would not under any circumstances receive pay for what he had done for her sick daughter. This seemed to puzzle the woman and after thinking awhile she asked :
"Have you wife?"
"No; but I want one," answered the doctor blushing to the crown of his head.
"You have no pay, then you take present from Nyrulyn."
"Yes, with all my heart."
Turning, she went to an obsecure corner of the wigwam and returned with a small bundle wrapped in a piece of beautifully woven grass cloth, and placing it in an elegant Lapsidalian basket, said :
"Here, take this. Doctor no use for it. When you wife get, to her give it in Nyrulyn's name. A belt it is of mine and Mera's hair ; it is made of Nyrulyn's hair, the two-strand pieces are made ; of Mera's hair are made the three-strand pieces. The beads the flowers made, were to me given by Banna the Beautiful. Let her it open when you home get. The Great Spirit the doctor bless for his goodness to Mera."
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So saying she extended her hand. It was cordially taken, and after a fervent God bless you, the two surprised men rode away silently but thoughtfully.
"Say, Mr. Tinsley, I am the biggest fool that ever rode the Okoloco trail," said Dr. Singleton when well on his homeward journey.
"Why do you think so?" asked Tinsley.
"Because I had such a splendid opportunity to ask for Mera," answered the doctor peering into his pretty basket. "Then why did you fail to do so?"
"I did not know that the Blue Bird was willing to be caught. What a fool I was not to ask her to be my wife as we rode along here this morning. I never spoke a word of love to the girl in my life. I'll never have such an opportunity again with either her- self or mother."
"You may easily make one; but I have noticed that you are shy in the presence of ladies and think you would feel more at home while cutting off a man's leg or pulling three or four of his molars than in the presence of the girl you love. Remember, 'Faint heart never won fair ladie!' "
"Perhaps you are right; but by all the moons of Jupiter, I'll never let another good opportunity pass without knowing the best or the worst of the whole matter," answered the doctor seriously as he again peeped into his basket.
Reaching home, Dr. Singleton, after inviting all present to go with him, hastened to his rough pine-pole office, where in a husky voice, he asked Banna to unwrap the package for him.
When open she held up a belt of such exquisite workmanship that all were lost in admiration of its beauty. It was nearly four inches wide, and made of alternate plaits of two or three strands of jet black hair twined together with consummate skill. Over the whole was wrought in white, red and blue bead-work, flowers in almost exact imitation of ox-eye daisies and dainty little forget-me-nots. The center was designated by a half drawn bow with an arrow lying at sharp angles across the bar. The fasten-
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ings at the ends were of bone, and in workmanship were in keep- ing with the belt itself.
When all were through looking at the elegant gift, its owner kissed it, and while replacing it in the basket remarked thought- fully : "Such an artist would adorn the finest gallery in Eu- rope."
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